Why we decided to build Nirvana Retreat

Arijit is a retired senior corporate executive with over 30 years in Unilever across the world and Lata is a Reiki Master & Art of Living practitioner.

All our lives we had a dream of someday creating that “perfect” place away from the bustle of the big city which would be our second home once we retired. Having lived in 4 countries (apart from India) over the last 20 years & travelled deeply to over 50 others we have been very influenced by different cultures and our own life experiences.

We have always wanted to build from the foundation a holistic experience that would combine the best of nature with what we believe is a home of truly international standards.

We love mountains for their pristine, natural, unpolluted quality and their bracing weather and have always wanted a mountain home.

At the same time, we wanted to have a place which was not too far from a big city with good air, road & rail connectivity but still in the midst of nature.

Our search for the perfect location started in 2012 and after seeing multiple locations we settled on our dream location.

Our home is in the Himalayan foothills of Darjeeling district close to the town of Kurseong known for its world famous tea and its breathtaking views of the Himalayas. We are 1300 feet above Kurseong town at 6191 feet surrounded by reserve forests on 3 sides and with an unhindered breathtaking view of the majestic Kanchenjunga range.

With 8 bedroom suites & 3 extensive gardens surrounded by the Kanchenjunga & a Himalayan reserve forest we would love to share our piece of paradise with you.

We call it Nirvana Retreat and would love to invite you to share in our joy and enjoy the blissful bounty of nature. Time truly stands still at Nirvana Retreat and we can promise you an experience like no other.

The nostalgia of retro Hindi films meets trendy coquettecore styles in this t2 shoot at Kurseong’s Nirvana Retreat.

Recently, when we travelled to the hills, the lush vegetation and stunning views inspired us to draw up a lookbook marrying coquettecore’s feminine styles, delicate fabrics, flowy silhouettes, floral prints, vintage appeal, and a playful vibe to the romance of a Hindi film song set in the hills. We picked easy floral dresses and styled them with a dash of retro glamour. Think bold, winged eyes, fringes and pearls.

Nirvana Retreat resort in Kurseong, with its breathtaking views of the expansive pine forest and the beautifully manicured gardens, served as a perfect backdrop. Here are some glimpses.

Sushmita’s look in the premium suite room of the resort exuded vintage charm. A sheer Kazo dress in black and red was paired with striking red lips, puffy fringes and winged eyeliner.

The serene pine forest was a great backdrop for this frame. V-neck silhouettes, slight slits, and delicate floral patterns made up the looks. Dolly was in Forever New, and Sushmita, Kazo.

Dolly posed elegant in a Forever New dress, which had ruffles, a dainty print and peasant sleeves. Her hair was styled in a textured retro wave at the front, embodying the combined aesthetic of the lookbook.

Pearls enhanced both Dolly and Sushmita’s looks in this frame. Dolly sported a Forever New dress featuring lilac floral patterns on white, while Sushmita opted for a smart, half-sleeved floral white dress from Latin Quarters, accessorised with a ruffled band on her hair. Bouffant and puffed hairstyles, defined eyes and pretty make-up completed the looks.

HAIR, MAKE-UP AND STYLING:

“The idea was to keep the make-up dreamy with a touch of retro Hindi films. We experimented with defined liners on the eyes, from classic winged to other shapes, a common make-up highlight in that era, and stuck to a nude, pink and peach palette. The looks had to be soft, romantic and effortless to complement the outfits. For the hairstyles, we chose classic rolls, retro bobs, fringes and twisted boho high buns with flowers,” said Kaushik.

“Instead of the sari looks, we chose the trendy long dresses. We styled it with long bands and hoops to add to the retro charm,” added Rajat.

Pictures: Pabitra Das

Hair, make-up ans styling: Kaushik Rajat

Models:Dolly Singh and Sushmita Roy

Location: Nirvana Retreat resort, Kurseong

Outfits sourced from: South City Mall

KURSEONG’S NIRVANA RETREAT IS A SERENE ESCAPE AMIDST NATURE’S SYMPHONY COUPLED WITH WARM HOSPITALITY

Nestled in the serene embrace of Kurseong’s familiar lush green hills, Nirvana Retreat — a charming boutique hotel — invited us for a two-day stay, recently. The verdant haven was a perfect escape from the city’s cacophony to immerse in a symphony of nature’s sights and sounds — rustling leaves, cheerful birdsong, drizzling rain, the gentle whisper of the breeze, and the vistas of the hill slopes blanketed by pine trees. The tranquility and warm hospitality made the ambience ideal to reconnect with both nature and oneself. We indulged in the chance to unwind, disconnect, and rejuvenate. Opened just before the pandemic, the property is located about an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Siliguri. The stay provides an option of nine rooms across six categories, each offering its own stunning views. Enjoy breathtaking views of the hills and the property garden from the deluxe rooms and premium suite on the upper floors, or relax in the villa that overlooks the pine forest-clad landscape. The garden rooms on the ground level are connected to a manicured garden bursting with fresh mountain blooms and also boast lovely hill views from the garden. To ensure a comfortable and pampered stay, each room is equipped with modern amenities.

Nirvana Retreat, tucked away in the pine-blanketed hills of Kurseong, offers a 360-degree vista of greenery and mountain landscape

The six categories under which the rooms can be booked are — garden room, garden suite, deluxe suite, premium suite and one independent villa. The spacious construction of the rooms allows optimum comfort with separate sitting areas, attached balcony or garden offering stunning views.The rooms can be booked by sending a mail (nirvanaretreatkurseong@gmail.com) or calling (7477792568)

At Nirvana, nature enthralls no matter where you are on the property or which season you choose to visit. Early mornings bring delightful visits from various songbirds that flit through the garden making it a bird watcher’s paradise. The hotel rooms are also each named after local birds in the Nepali language, like Hareni or Kalij. We chose to visit during the gentle rain of early autumn, where the cool air and soft drizzles were a delight to the senses. On clear days, thrill- seekers can enjoy a rewarding trek through the nearby Dowhill forest arranged by the property with the help of local guides. The tea lounge is the highlight of the property for enjoying the breathtaking sunset hour and leisurely evening with countless cups of warm tea. Situated just around the bend of the road, it is perfect for an adda session with friends or family or some me-time with a book or a notepad. With its glass enclosure, it provides a pleasant view of the surrounding nature, all from its cosy sitting area. Guests can enjoy a selection of both flavoured and non-flavoured teas curated in-house, perfect for pairing with small bites and fritters while soaking in the serene beauty outside. One of the highlights of our two-day stay was the exceptional hospitality from the local staff, extending from the reception to the kitchen and beyond, reflective of local culture and traditions. The in-house dining space offers a delightful variety of cuisines, all complemented by views of the hills and gardens, with both indoor and outdoor seating available. The menu features an array of options, from continental and Mughlai to Chinese, along with traditional Nepali cuisine.

SIGHTSEEING: Hanuman Top, the toy train track in Darjeeling, a pine forest and the Japanese Temple.

While the natural charm of the property was enough to make time slow down, we also squeezed in some adventures and sightseeing during our stay. On our relaxed days, a simple walk up or down the hillside provided an invigorating touch. Our first day included a scenic car tour around Kurseong, where we visited the Bagdora viewpoint for stunning 360° valley views, the Chimney Heritage Park, and Dow Hill Eco Park. We also stopped at the impressive 50-foot Hanuman statue at Hanuman Top. Other places to explore includes historic schools like Dow Hill and Victoria, the Rock Garden, and the Netaji Museum. The second day was dedicated to a shopping excursion in Darjeeling, including a stop at Mahakal Temple, customary breakfast at Keventers, a visit to the Japanese Temple for a few minutes of meditative prayer, and a leisurely stroll at the Mall. On our way back, we treated ourselves to cakes and coffee from Glenary’s. Trips to Mirik and Kalimpong are also popular choices for guests from the property. Although parting from the ‘land of the white orchids’, as Kurseong is meaningfully called locally, was bittersweet, our two days spent trading the chaos of city life for the tranquility of nature were truly rejuvenating and the stay was pampered.

The common sitting area in the hotel is spacious with scenic views and a collection of books to enjoy some alone time or family time.

Enjoy breakfast at the outdoor dining area with a view of the hills and a touch of the cool and misty breeze.

The highlight of our lunch at the property was the spread of Nepali dishes full of local flavours

Live grill counter serving an array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian options for dinner and a cocktail-mocktail counter with a variety of drinks made our last night at the property memorable

“We have lived for two decades in multiple countries outside of India and have travelled extensively to about 60. We have, therefore, brought an eclectic international sensibility to Nirvana Retreat from our own experience. It is affordable, understated, global luxury in a uniquely local setting. We pride ourself on creating a truly home away from home ambiance. A real measure of this is the number of guests who keep coming back. In addition, our entire team is local from the surrounding areas and take great pride in delighting our guests in the most surprising ways. We serve four cuisines and a range of curated teas and some of our specialities very unique to us. Overall, we have kept international standards in a beautiful and remote location overlooking the Kanchenjunga range and surrounded by a pristine reserve forest,” said founders Arijit and Lata Ghose.”

THE ITALIAN JOB

IN THE LAP OF NATURE

B’DAY, TOLLY 4,6

PARTY, WATCHIT 10,11

FASHION, MUSIC 14

WHATSUP, FOOD 16,22

TECH, CAFE COOL 23,24

YOUR VIEWS 26